Old stone & lime
Raking out, repointing, lime mortar joints, localised repairs. Absolute respect for traditional mixes, bringing facades and walls back to life.
Stonemason — Île d’Oléron & Bourcefranc-le-Chapus
Restoring
old stone
on the Île d’Oléron.
Pierre Folly, specialist stonemason — lime pointing, dry-stone walls, stone floors and heritage masonry. Traditional craftsmanship in the service of your heritage.
My approach
“Old stone is a living material. It carries time, craftsmanship and the history of the place.”
My work is about intervening with precision — respecting what exists, applying traditional techniques and preserving the aesthetic balance of each structure. On the Île d’Oléron and in the neighbouring villages, I adapt to the material, the site and your wishes.
The spirit of the craft
A meticulous
A meticulous
approach
- Reading the site and the material before any intervention
- Traditional techniques and natural materials (lime, local stone)
- Precise execution — no haste, no compromise
- Aesthetic and heritage consistency in every project
Expertise
Completed
Completed
works
Non-structural exterior work — heritage restoration and creation on the Île d’Oléron and around Marennes.
Garden walls & fences
Solid stone, dry stone, decorative features. Benches, planters and steps that blend seamlessly into their surroundings.
Old walls
Stone cladding and aesthetic restoration of existing walls. Giving the old back its original nobility.
Repairing damaged stone
Resurfacing and repairing worn stones. Stopping erosion while keeping the patina and character of the material.
Stone floors
Natural or reclaimed stone paving for paths and terraces — elegant, practical outdoor surfaces.
Heritage masonry (exterior)
Aesthetic and heritage restoration of existing structures. Preserving built heritage with non-intrusive methods.
Exterior, non-structural work only
Before / After
The material
The material
restored
An old wall rebuilt following its original structure.
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“This work is for those
who love the material, the craft
and the tradition.”
Service area
A local craftsman,
A local craftsman,
across the whole island
Based in Bourcefranc-le-Chapus, at the foot of the Oléron bridge, I work in every commune on the island, as well as around Marennes and as far as Rochefort.
- Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron
- Le Château-d'Oléron
- Dolus-d'Oléron
- Saint-Georges-d'Oléron
- Saint-Denis-d'Oléron
- La Brée-les-Bains
- Saint-Trojan-les-Bains
- Le Grand-Village-Plage
- Bourcefranc-le-Chapus
- Marennes-Hiers-Brouage
- Rochefort
Frequently asked questions
Your questions,
Your questions,
answered
Which parts of the Île d’Oléron do you cover?
I am based in Bourcefranc-le-Chapus, at the foot of the Oléron bridge. I work in every commune on the island — Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron, Le Château-d’Oléron, Dolus-d’Oléron, Saint-Georges-d’Oléron, Saint-Denis-d’Oléron, La Brée-les-Bains, Saint-Trojan-les-Bains, Le Grand-Village-Plage — as well as around Marennes and as far as Rochefort.
What kind of masonry work do you take on?
I specialise in non-structural exterior work: lime repointing and pointing, stone facade restoration, dry-stone walls and fences, wall cladding, repair of damaged stones, and natural stone paving.
Why use lime rather than cement on an old wall?
Lime lets the stone breathe: it releases moisture from the wall instead of trapping it. Cement pointing, too rigid and waterproof, eventually causes the stone to crack and damp to rise. On Oléron’s old buildings, lime is the binder compatible with the local limestone.
Is the quote really free?
Yes. I travel free of charge across the Île d’Oléron and the surrounding area to look at your project, and send you a detailed quote within 48 hours, with no obligation.
Do you take on small jobs?
Of course. A wall to repair, a few metres of pointing, a stone step: every project deserves the same care, whatever its size.
Get in touch
A project,
A project,
a restoration?
Tell me about your project and I will reply with a free quote within 48 hours. Based in Bourcefranc-le-Chapus, I work across the whole Île d’Oléron and the surrounding villages.
- Service area
- Île d’Oléron, Marennes and as far as Rochefort
- Commitment
- Free quote within 48h
Contact details
Pierre Folly
Stonemason — old stone restoration with lime
Location
Bourcefranc-le-Chapus
Charente-Maritime — 17560